The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys

What does it take to dedicate decades of your life to a dream that feels out of reach?

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with 2026 Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first qualified astronaut, to explore what it really takes to pursue an extraordinary goal.

From stargazing in her Sydney backyard to completing one of the world’s most demanding astronaut training programs, Katherine shares the mindset, resilience and curiosity that have shaped her remarkable career. She reveals what astronaut training is actually like, why humanity’s return to the Moon matters, and how space research is already improving life here on Earth.

The conversation also explores Australia’s growing role in the global space industry, the country’s STEM skills challenge, and why Katherine believes inspiring the next generation—especially girls—to dream bigger has become one of her most important missions. She also shares an exclusive first look at Mission Sprouts, a new initiative bringing space-flown seeds into Australian classrooms.

Whether you’re fascinated by space, navigating your own ambitious career goals, or simply wondering what’s possible when you commit to a lifelong dream, this episode will challenge the way you think about achieving the seemingly impossible.

You’ll learn:

• What astronaut training is really like—and what it takes to qualify.
• Why the world is returning to the Moon, and Australia’s role in the next era of space exploration.
• How space research is leading to breakthroughs in medicine, technology and sustainability.
• Why curiosity, resilience and long-term thinking matter more than natural talent.
• How Katherine hopes to inspire more young Australians—especially girls—to pursue careers in science, technology and space.
• The story behind Mission Sprouts, bringing space-flown seeds into classrooms across Australia.

Find out more about Mission Sprouts at www.space.gov.au. Applications close Sunday, August 23, 2026.

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Starting a business is exciting. Building one that lasts is something else entirely.

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys is joined by Edible Blooms Co-founder and Managing Director Kelly Jamieson and Westpac Managing Director of Business Lending Tamara Bryden to unpack what it really takes to launch and grow a successful business.

Kelly shares how she turned a kitchen-table idea into one of Australia’s best-known gifting businesses, while Tamara explains why women still receive just a fraction of startup funding—and what can be done to change it.

Together, they discuss the realities of entrepreneurship: testing an idea before investing heavily, managing cash flow, securing finance, scaling beyond the “messy middle” and why building a business often means working harder than you’ve ever worked before.

Whether you’re dreaming of leaving your corporate job, growing a side hustle or taking your business to the next level, this episode is packed with practical advice from two women who’ve helped thousands of businesses get off the ground.

You’ll learn:

• Why women still face bigger barriers when raising capital
• How to test a business idea before investing thousands
• What banks actually want to see in a business plan
• The biggest cash flow mistakes new founders make
• How to scale beyond the “messy middle” of business growth
• Why your network can be as valuable as your funding
• The mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else
• Why “freedom” isn’t the best reason to start your own business

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Jun Bei Liu arrived in Australia from China at 16 with little English but big ambitions.

Today, she's the co-founder of Ten Cap, one of Australia's top-performing hedge funds, and one of the country's most respected stock pickers.

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with Jun Bei to unpack where she's finding opportunities in today's market, why she's avoiding some of the biggest names in AI, and what every investor should understand before buying into the latest hype.

From SpaceX's eye-watering valuation to the future of Australia's banks, Jun Bei shares the frameworks she uses to separate great businesses from great investments — and why the smartest money isn't always going where everyone else is.

You'll learn:

• Why Jun Bei is backing the "picks and shovels" powering the AI boom, rather than trying to pick the winning platform.
• What the SpaceX IPO can teach everyday investors about hype, valuation and timing.
• Why volatility and uncertainty can create the best buying opportunities.
• The investing philosophy Jun Bei learnt from her father — and how she's now teaching it to her own children.
• Why understanding the business behind the brands you already use can make you a better investor.

Whether you're investing for the first time or looking to sharpen your thinking in a rapidly changing market, this conversation is packed with practical insights that will change the way you look at money, markets and opportunity.

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It started with a drawer overflowing with sticky $5 and $10 tips, tucked away after gruelling 3am bar shifts while trying to survive university. That mountain of cash eventually triggered an unexpected bank investigation, a furious confrontation with her father and a lifelong obsession with building financial freedom for herself and others. 

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with financial planner, best-selling author, and founder of SugarMamma, Canna Campbell (@sugarmammatv). 

From the ultimate $1,650 kitchen appliance hack that saves thousands a year, to surviving a massive relationship breakdown and using her professional expertise to grow a $374,000 portfolio from scratch, Canna shares her direct, no-nonsense playbook for creating long-term wealth.

Whether you are staring down a 30-year mortgage, trying to navigate changing tax laws, or just wanting to look glamorous on a budget, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you make your money work harder.

You’ll learn:

• The mindset shifts that helped Canna rebuild after divorce and create lasting financial resilience 
• The step-by-step "$1,000 Project" framework for building investment momentum with amounts you can actually afford.
• How to “pay your future self first” and use passive dividend income to build long-term financial security.
• Why regularly negotiating your mortgage could save you thousands by avoiding the bank’s “loyalty tax.” 
• And much more.

Find more from Canna here: https://www.sugarmamma.tv/

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It came in a midnight email, despite having just kicked some huge goals for her company, and just six weeks after returning from parental leave. Redundancy. Something that's being faced by people in their thousands right now.

In this episode, Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with Natalie MacDonald. As a former business journalist and a founding member of the LinkedIn News Australia team, Natalie spent nearly a decade helping build the digital ecosystem that millions of professionals use every day. But when she faced a sudden redundancy while managing two small children and a tight family budget, she had to pivot fast—transforming a professional setback into a thriving portfolio career.

Natalie shares her journey through career grief and how she bounced back, how you too can rebuild your career on your own terms, and how to leverage the tool so many of us know but so few of us have mastered: LinkedIn. 

You will learn:

• The quick operational and financial steps you need to take right after losing a job.

• Why the cost of invisibility is greater than the cost of 'cringe' when promoting yourself online.

• Easy profile tweaks to boost your digital storefront, from writing warmer headlines to hitting the right weekly posting frequency.

• And much much more.

Find more from Natalie here: https://www.workingatit.com.au/ 

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Your days of wondering where all your money went are over. In this empowering episode, full-time nurse turned anti-influencer Breana Davison (@breeonabudget) reveals how she broke free from a debilitating mountain of debt to buy her first home, a secure financial foundation and absolute control over her spending and lifestyle.

In this episode:

• the reality of a life of intentional spending and minimalism - and why it's not about limiting yourself. 
• The five-step process for stopping impulse purchases in their tracks
• Bree's biggest budget breakers and her practical hacks for auditing them
• Why "paying your future self first" will completely transform your financial landscape

And much more.

 If you are ready to stop comparing yourself to the world, slash unintentional spending and design a life that aligns with your true values, this episode is your definitive action-plan.

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There's plenty of advice out there about fostering a social media, building a multi-million dollar business, or creating an utterly devoted community.

Steph Claire Smith, founder of KIC, one of Australia's biggest wellness brands, has done all of these things. But her key is a little more simple than most: above all, keep it real.

Not only that, this principle has also steered her through some of the most difficult parts of her life; such as her recovery from disordered eating, hashing out issues with her business partner best friend Laura, and the more recent trials of motherhood. In this episode, she opens up to Sylvia Jeffreys about all of the above, along with the origins of her work-life as as a model, how KIC grew from e-book to empire, her disconnect with the traditional corporate "businesswoman" archetype, the recent launch of KICstudio and more.

Plus, keep listening to receive a Pay Off exclusive KIC offer code!

This episode contains discussions of body image issues and disordered eating. 
For support, please contact the Butterfly Foundation at butterfly.org.au or 1800 ED HOPE
(1800 33 4673)

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If you thought an EOFY sale was the biggest threat to your savings right now, this episode will make you think again. Ben Young, Head of Fraud and Scams Prevention at Westpac, pulls back the curtain on the scams he encounters - and fights - every day. From 'flavour of the month' tactics specifically designed for tax time, to emotion-triggering texts, the long cons of investment or romance scams, to the terrifying and uncanny new world of AI-powered deep fake scams - Ben breaks down how they all work, and our best defenses against them. 

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Australian actress and comedian Mary Coustas - and her famous and fabulous alter-ego Effie - have been responsible for decades of laughter. But away from the stage and screen, she's faced struggles shared by millions of other women: a grueling 23-cycle IVF journey, navigating the profound grief of a stillbirth and symptoms of menopause that, surprisingly, were hardest to deal with of all.

In this deeply moving, raw, and validating episode of The Pay Off, Mary opens up about all of these experiences, why every woman and every business needs to be menopause-informed, the origins of Effie and her career, and her new menopause focused health start-up Unpause - all in her trademark style of honesty, vulnerability and humour.

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Being honest has done a lot for Talitha Cummins. It's allowed her to pivot her skills as a prominent television journo into becoming the founder and design director of Australian fine jewelry house The Cut. It's generated sales across the world with zero in paid marketing. It's ruffled the feathers of her competition. It's helped her heal from addiction and it's encouraged countless others to do the same.

 In this raw and far-ranging chat, Talitha explains:

• The myths the diamond industry is based around and the truths they'd rather you didn't hear
• The true difference between lab grown and natural diamonds and other FAQs
• Her personal investment history and strategy
• Her advice for those who run their own business
• Her story of entering and maintaining sobriety - what it's meant for her and her message for others who are struggling

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